Snowshoes are great for one thing, and that’s snowshoeing, of course! But, what if we told you they had other uses, too?

Winter will be around for just a little bit longer. In a few weeks’ time, (depending on where you live) there won’t be as much snow. That means there’s only a little time left to enjoy taking on the trail with your fresh pair of snowshoes.

But, did you know there are plenty of other awesome things you can do with snowshoes? And, people are already doing them!

This is NOT a drill: Check out these cool snowshoes activities while you still can!

1. Rent Snowshoes

Okay, this might not be as cool as the others on this list. But, being able to rent snowshoes at local parks or ski resorts is a great way to do this exciting activity without needing to lay out a dime on the snowshoes! No need to worry about buying the right pair or making sure they’re broken in enough for the trail. Just rent them and save yourself plenty of time and money!

2. Run a 5K

Walking on snowshoes is enough of an intense exercise. But, running on them is a whole other story. Recently, a small town in New York invited their brave residents to come by to Selkirk State Park to run a 5k in snowshoes! If they can do it, why can’t you? It’s a wonderful way to challenge yourself, and if you get your friends to join, it’ll be even more fun!

3. Go on a Moonlit Walk

Snowshoeing doesn’t have to only be done during the daytime. After all, you can ski and snowboard at night, so why can’t you snowshoe? Sure, you’ll need to be careful, but snowshoeing at night can actually be quite incredible…and romantic. Many universities, parks, and resorts host events, many of which are given the name “Moonlit Snowshoe Walk” or something along those lines. While the snow may not be as bright as it is when the sun is reflecting off of it, it’ll look even more beautiful beneath the moonlight.

4. Watch the Snowshoeing Event at the Special Olympics

One of the reasons snowshoeing is such an admirable recreational activity is because really anyone can do it. But, make no mistake. The people competing at this year’s Special Olympics in Vernon, New Jersey are intense athletes who have been training hard for this amazing event. Come out and support the fun in your community, and witness some incredible snowshoe races while you’re at it!

5. Take a Snowshoeing Class

L.L Bean has always been the expert in hiking boots, but they are also well-known for their classic Green mountain snowshoes; a top choice for any person who snowshoes. So, needless to say, it’s no surprise they’re offering up exciting snowshoe skill classes this winter. Of course, they offer many classes on top of that to add to your whole list of backcountry winter skills. And, if L.L Bean doesn’t work for you, there are tons of other outdoor stores offering courses as well!

Do you know of other cool things you can do with snowshoes? Let us know in the comments below!

hanalarockI'm Hana- a freelance travel writer and teacher who currently lives in South Korea. I'm originally from New York, but have spent the last two years traveling and living abroad. My first time hiking in the US was when I traveled around the country as a teenager. Though, my first adult backpacking trip was a year ago, when I hiked from Thailand down to Singapore for a month. I'm looking forward to many more adventures in the future. Visit my site for more information.

Love the Backcountry

Love the Backcountry is an online magazine providing outdoor lovers with resources, skills, information and advice to get outside and enjoy backpacking, camping, hiking, rock climbing, fishing and paddling. If it's outside, we're here to provide you with articles, videos and photos to help you get out there and do it more often and have more fun doing it.